Rangers sign Arnott for depth at Center

Telling #s: Kane lead Fs in TOI, Oduya-Hammer a combined +13, Bolland and Kruger are a combined 42% on draws, Bickell leads team with 11 hits. Loved that he got his goal on a tip in front of the net. Maybe that will keep him motivated to park his 233lb frame in the goalie's face.

I also like Toews and Hossa averaging 1 minute TOI on the Pk. Kruger, Frolik and Bolland ahead of them by a lot.

No points, but liking what i'm seeing from Saad...he's getting closer to getting that first goal.
- philco28

So at the present rate, assuming Saad scores tonight, you'll get 8-9 goals and virtually zero physicality this season from your first line LW.

But . . . the Kids Are On The Way!!!

Your correct but once he gets a couple of goals and confidence he may surprise us
Keep in mind he's young and it takes time

Has to be intimidating playing with two stars like Hossa and Toews
Give him a little slack
I am
- PEIHawkFan

Absolutely. You can see he has skills and eventually he may be able to take that spot.

Just something that needs to be worked out by playoff time, either by him taking the spot or Bowman finding someone who can.

Well it's a win....


The biggest positive I take out of the game was that that was a goalie win. Crawford was by far the Hawks best player. Good to see.

Like Saad a lot. really like his wheels. He created lots of space for Hossa and Toews.

Liked Bickell's game tonight too. Him and Stalberg were really after it.

And Toews' move was sweet.

But that's where the positives end. Seabrook is still a step and a half behind. If not for Sheldon Brookbank,he would have been the Hawks worst Defenseman. But Brookbank, ho is glacially slow, kept him from that honor.

Kruger got hosed at the dot and the team was mostly blah for the entire game.

But good teams find a way to win when they're not playing well. And the hawks found a way. Nationwide arena is a very nice arena. It was cool being there. Although that new HD scoreboard showed way too much of the fat guy dancing for me.....

Onwards.
- yahoodi

You've seen too many bad Hawk goalies over the years apparently. The bar is way too low.

I don't care what Foley and Edzo say. Or what Murray and Steve Konroyd say. It is becoming apparent these are Hawk talking points.

Crawford was bailed out (yet again) by the referees. He was bailed out by Keith in Dallas.

He was down and out a lot, once giving up a goal. He was redeemed somewhat by a few good saves. Work in progress AT BEST.

Good Lord.

Saad creating space? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Taking up space.

Tell me exactly what Saad does to "create space?" He's a black hole just like one of the recent Great Prospect Messiahs, Jack Skille. If the puck isn't on his blade, he's a ghost. Never finishes a check. if it is on his blade it's going into the goalie's pads or five feet wide of the net. He does look awfully good skating. I bet he gets a "9" from the Russian judge!

Me too, Pri$y, but who? They don't have one on the roster or in the minors.
- Kentxo

I'm with everyone else in thinking that the lines shouldn't and don't need to be juggled, of course but at the same time I wouldn't mind seeing what Shaw could do there.

Also, if you're going to give a prospect a shot at that position, why not Jeremy Morin? He has more of a physical side to his game, which is needed there.

I'm with everyone else in thinking that the lines shouldn't and don't need to be juggled, of course but at the same time I wouldn't mind seeing what Shaw could do there.

Also, if you're going to give a prospect a shot at that position, why not Jeremy Morin? He has more of a physical side to his game, which is needed there.
- pri$ey

Sanity, thx

I'm with everyone else in thinking that the lines shouldn't and don't need to be juggled, of course but at the same time I wouldn't mind seeing what Shaw could do there.

Also, if you're going to give a prospect a shot at that position, why not Jeremy Morin? He has more of a physical side to his game, which is needed there.
- pri$ey

I can only guess he has not put it all back together post concussion. Haven't heard his name much after a promising NHL debut. How is he doing in Rockford?

I can only guess he has not put it all back together post concussion. Haven't heard his name much after a promising NHL debut. How is he doing in Rockford?
- Kentxo

He's doing OK down there, about the same as Saad was. Not great. But he is more physical.

And let's be clear. The Dallas win you could really give to the Hawks because they battled back and made their own luck. The refs helped the Hawks a lot in this one. That goal taken off the board was a terrible call and likely saved the Hawks' bacon.

I have to say.. I'm not seeing how Saad is earning a top 6 spot right now. He's not playing terrible and not a liability but I just don't think he's doing enough to stay there on a team that (early on) looks like a contender.

I like the kid's skill and hope he eventually can take that spot and keep it but at the moment, I'd like to have a true power forward there with Toews and Hoss.
- pri$ey

dont disagree with you and saad is being pushed into the role too early but without changing any of the other lines who takes his place?

dont disagree with you and saad is being pushed into the role too early but without changing any of the other lines who takes his place?
- molly2522

I'd try Shaw or Stalberg up there. Or Bickell. Or Frolik (who was great last night, by the way).

I'm with everyone else in thinking that the lines shouldn't and don't need to be juggled, of course but at the same time I wouldn't mind seeing what Shaw could do there.

Also, if you're going to give a prospect a shot at that position, why not Jeremy Morin? He has more of a physical side to his game, which is needed there.
- pri$ey

How about giving some of saads shifts to both bickell and stalberg to see how they work with the first line?

I'd try Shaw or Stalberg up there. Or Bickell. Or Frolik (who was great last night, by the way).
- John Jaeckel

jj i agree but i like the idea of rewarding those players with more minutes and let saad stay where he is but with reduced toi

I'd try Shaw or Stalberg up there. Or Bickell. Or Frolik (who was great last night, by the way).
- John Jaeckel

Stalberg and Frolik would make the most sense to me. I really like the offensive threat that Stalberg gives that 3rd line, so maybe Frolik? I'd love to see what Fro could do in a strong fore checking role with 19 and 81.

jj i agree but i like the idea of rewarding those players with more minutes and let saad stay where he is but with reduced toi
- molly2522

How about Saad being in Rockford, where he could learn how to be a top-6 forward without slowing down two of your best players?

I'd try Shaw or Stalberg up there. Or Bickell. Or Frolik (who was great last night, by the way).
- John Jaeckel

I have been saying all along they should platoon Stalberg and Saad on the first line to shake up the rhythm of the opposition defence

the Habs did it with Lafleur in the old days under Scooty Bowman

I'd try Shaw or Stalberg up there. Or Bickell. Or Frolik (who was great last night, by the way).
- John Jaeckel

If this was the playoffs, you would likely see Shaw up there and Kruger C third line. For now, especially since you are continuing to win, you can afford to prolong experiments and trials. In the big picture, any/all experience Saad gets, without costing team, is beneficial. Same can be said for Shaw at Center. Shaw is a survivor, and I think given enough time, will figure out how to do a solid job as center.

Mayers really looks his age. Hope to see Bollig back out there tonight.

While I don't share the prevailing sentiment regarding everything Crawford, I do think that something has to be done to add some goalie depth. If anything to push CC more and provide a real option in case CC gets hurt or struggles.

With that said, would love to add a David Steckel type.

Brookbank looks out of sync so far. Rosival looks more stable out there.

New blog up.

How about Saad being in Rockford, where he could learn how to be a top-6 forward without slowing down two of your best players?
- StLBravesFan

Without changing any of the other lines who replaces him?

Would like to see Bickell get a shot on PP unit parked out front.

So at the present rate, assuming Saad scores tonight, you'll get 8-9 goals and virtually zero physicality this season from your first line LW.

But . . . the Kids Are On The Way!!!
- John Jaeckel

Hey JJ...we're 5 and 0...lay off the kid for chrissake

Hey JJ...we're 5 and 0...lay off the kid for chrissake
- philco28

I'll lay off when everyone stops relentlessly pumping his tires. Or he really fills the role.

How about Saad being in Rockford, where he could learn how to be a top-6 forward without slowing down two of your best players?
- StLBravesFan

With Dent as coach? Not likely. Rockford better bring in a new head coach next year...the guys there are learning nothing or close to it.